As part of the Whale Camp experience, the campers are not just taken to see the whales, but are taught techniques and lessons in how to study whales and the importance of such studies. Every week, the campers go out to sea on two trips, once on the Days Catch, a converted lobster vessel, and once on the Elsie Menota, a sailing vessel.
While out on these trips, the group take turns to spot for whales and other marine life, and fill in 'sightings' forms to document whether or not they observed any marine life in that area at that time. The sightings forms are very similar to those used by marine researchers in the Bay and throughout the world. On each form, campers fill in the time, date, longitude and latitude, conditions of the weather and the ocean and any creatures seen and their behaviour when observed, for example foraging, travelling or socialising.
Once back at camp, the campers are taught more about the importance of such records and undergo tasks using the data that they have collected. They are shown how every piece of information that they have collected is essential for the long-term research and conservation of many species of whales and also, how the ecology and location and tides of the Bay of Fundy are so important in influencing where animals are.
From the information gathered by whale campers over several years, trends are evident that the campers can note and begin to explain and discuss, for instance, trends related to the location of certain whales feeding at a particular stage of the tidal cycle. It is great for the campers when they learn these trends and can then relate them to their own whale watching experience here at Whale Camp.
While out on these trips, the group take turns to spot for whales and other marine life, and fill in 'sightings' forms to document whether or not they observed any marine life in that area at that time. The sightings forms are very similar to those used by marine researchers in the Bay and throughout the world. On each form, campers fill in the time, date, longitude and latitude, conditions of the weather and the ocean and any creatures seen and their behaviour when observed, for example foraging, travelling or socialising.
Once back at camp, the campers are taught more about the importance of such records and undergo tasks using the data that they have collected. They are shown how every piece of information that they have collected is essential for the long-term research and conservation of many species of whales and also, how the ecology and location and tides of the Bay of Fundy are so important in influencing where animals are.
From the information gathered by whale campers over several years, trends are evident that the campers can note and begin to explain and discuss, for instance, trends related to the location of certain whales feeding at a particular stage of the tidal cycle. It is great for the campers when they learn these trends and can then relate them to their own whale watching experience here at Whale Camp.
Constructing Grand Manan in the sand as part of learning about the areas around the island and how they are influenced by the tides and dictate where and when the whales will be around.
Catches from the plankton tow!
Observing fin whale behaviour
Making sightings of the whales from the bow of the Elsie Menota
The Elsie Menota sail boat
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